2015 BMW 5 SERIES Safety

Driving stability control systemsVehicle features and optionsThis chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
Antilock Brake System ABS ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking.
The vehicle contains its steering power even
during full brake applications, thus increasing
active safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the en‐
gine.
Brake assistant When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the greatest possible
braking force boost. It reduces the braking dis‐
tance to a minimum during emergency stop.
This system utilizes all of the benefits provided
by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the emergency stop.
Adaptive brake assistant In combination with the Active Cruise Control,
this system ensures that the brakes respond
even more rapidly when braking in critical sit‐
uations.Drive-off assistant
This system supports driving off on inclines.
The parking brake is not required.1.Hold the vehicle in place with the foot
brake.2.Release the foot brake and drive off with‐
out delay.
After the foot brake is released, the vehicle is
held in place for approx. 2 seconds.
Depending on the vehicle load or when a trailer
is used, the vehicle may roll back slightly.
Driving off without delay
After releasing the foot brake, start driv‐
ing without delay, since the drive-off assistant
will not hold the vehicle in place for more than
approx. 2 seconds and the vehicle will begin to
roll back.◀
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control
The concept DSC prevents traction loss in the power
wheels when driving off and accelerating.
DSC also recognizes unstable vehicle condi‐
tions such as fishtailing or nose-diving. Within
the physical limits DSC helps to keep the vehi‐
cle on a steady course by reducing engine
speed and by applying brakes to the individual
wheels.
Note Adjust your driving style to the situation
An appropriate driving style is always the
responsibility of the driver.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, not
even with DSC.
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Therefore, do not reduce the additional safety
margin by driving in a risky manner.◀
Do not deactivate DSC when driving withroof load
Do not deactivate Dynamic Stability Control
DSC when driving with roof load, e.g. roof-
mounted luggage rack.
Otherwise, driving safety is not given in driv‐
ing-critical situation due to the elevated center
of gravity.◀
Overview
Button in the vehicle
DSC OFF button
Indicator/warning lights The indicator lamp flashes: DSC con‐
trols the drive and braking forces.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC has
failed.
Deactivating DSC: DSC OFF
When DSC is deactivated, driving stability is
reduced during acceleration and when driving
in curves.
Stabilizing interventions by the Integral Active
Steering system are only performed by the
rear axle steering.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC
again as soon as possible.
Deactivating DSC
Press and hold this button but not lon‐
ger than approx. 10 seconds, until the
indicator lamp for DSC OFF lights up in the in‐
strument cluster and displays DSC OFF.
The DSC system is switched off.
The steering and, depending on the equip‐
ment, suspension are tuned for sporty driving.
Activating DSC Press button.
DSC OFF and the DSC OFF indicator
lamp go out.
Indicator/warning lights
When DSC is deactivated, DSC OFF is dis‐
played in the instrument cluster.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC is
deactivated.
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control
The concept The DTC system is a version of the DSC where
forward momentum is optimized.
The system ensures maximum headway on
special road conditions or loose road surfaces,
e.g., unplowed snowy roads, but with some‐
what limited driving stability.
Activating the Dynamic Traction Control DTC
provides maximum traction. Driving stability is
limited during acceleration and when driving in
curves.
Therefore drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC
under the following special circumstances:▷When driving in slush or on uncleared,
snow-covered roads.Seite 136ControlsDriving stability control systems136
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Driving comfortVehicle features and options
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, ACC
The concept
Use this system to select a desired speed that
the vehicle will maintain automatically on clear
roads.
To the extent possible, the system automati‐
cally adjusts the speed to a slower vehicle
ahead of you.
The distance that the vehicle maintains to the
vehicle ahead of you can be varied.
For safety reasons, it depends on the speed.
To maintain a certain distance, the system au‐
tomatically reduces the speed, applies the
brakes lightly, or accelerates again if the vehi‐
cle ahead begins moving faster.
If the vehicle ahead of you brakes to a halt, and
then proceeds to drive again within a brief pe‐
riod, the system is able to detect this within the
given system limits. Your own vehicle will
brake automatically and then accelerate again.
If the vehicle ahead of you drives away again
after a prolonged period, briefly press the ac‐
celerator pedal or press the appropriate button
to reactivate the system. The vehicle will auto‐
matically accelerate.As soon as the road is clear, the vehicle accel‐
erates to the desired speed.
The speed is also maintained downhill, but
may not be maintained uphill if engine power is
insufficient.
General information
Depending on the driving settings, the features
of the cruise control can change in certain
areas.
Hints Personal responsibility
Even an active system holds the driver
responsible for his or her driving, particularly
for staying in your lane, adjusting your speed,
keeping your distance and for your driving
style all in relation to traffic.
Technically the system has its limits, it cannot
independently react to all traffic situations.
Monitor your driving, be on the alert, observe
the vehicle surroundings and other traffic and
react when needed, e.g. through braking,
steering or make evasive maneuvers - risk of
accident.◀
Unfavorable weather conditions
In the event of unfavorable weather and
light conditions, e. g. if there is rain, snowfall,
slush, fog or glare, this may result in poorer
recognition of vehicles as well as short-term
interruptions for vehicles that are already de‐
tected. Drive attentively, and react to the cur‐
rent traffic situation. Intervene actively when
necessary, e.g., by braking, steering or making
an evasive maneuver, otherwise, there is the
risk of an accident.◀Seite 143Driving comfortControls143
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The indicator lights in the instrument cluster
light up and the mark in the speedometer is set
to the current speed.
Cruise control can be used.
Switch off Deactivated or interrupted system
With deactivated or interrupted system
use your brakes, steering and moves as usual
to avoid the chance of an accident.◀
To switch off the system while standing, step
on brake pedal at the same time.
Press button on the steering wheel.▷If active: press twice.▷If interrupted: press once.
The displays go out. The stored desired speed
is deleted.
Interrupting Press button on the steering wheel.
If interrupting the system while stationary,
press on the brake pedal at the same time.
The system is automatically interrupted in the
following situations:
▷When the brakes are applied.▷When the clutch pedal is depressed.▷When selector lever position D is disen‐
gaged.▷When DTC Dynamic Traction Control is
activated or DSC is deactivated.▷When DSC is actively controlling stability.▷When SPORT+ is activated with Driving
Dynamics Control.▷If the safety belt and the driver's door are
opened while the vehicle is standing still.▷If the system has not detected objects for
an extended period, e.g., on a road withvery little traffic without curb or shoulder
markings.▷If the detection range of the radar is dis‐
rupted, e.g., by dirt or heavy fog.
Maintaining, storing, and changing the
speed
Hints Adjusting the desired speedModify desired speed to road conditions
and be ready to brake at all times; otherwise,
there is the risk of an accident.◀
Differences in speed
Large differences in speed relative to
other vehicles cannot be compensated by the
system such as in the following situations:
▷When fast approaching a slowly moving
vehicle.▷When another vehicle suddenly swerves
into the wrong lane.▷When stationary objects are approached at
high speed.◀
Maintaining/storing the speed
Press button.
Or:
Press the rocker switch while the system is in‐
terrupted.
When the system is switched on, the current
speed is maintained and stored as the desired
speed.
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This is displayed in the speedometer and
briefly in the instrument cluster. Displays in the
instrument cluster, refer to page 147.
When cruise control is maintained or stored,
DSC Dynamic Stability Control will be turned
on if needed.
Changing the speed
Press the rocker switch up or down repeatedly
until the desired speed is set.
If active, the displayed speed is stored and the vehicle reaches the stored speed when the
road is clear.▷Each time the rocker switch is pressed to
the point of resistance, the desired speed
increases or decreases by approx.
1 mph/1 km/h.▷Each time the rocker switch is pressed
past the point of resistance, the desired
speed increases or decreases by a maxi‐
mum of 5 mph/10 km/h.
Hold the rocker switch in position to repeat the
action.
Distance Select a distance
Adjust the distance according to the traf‐
fic and weather conditions; otherwise, there is
the risk of an accident. Maintain the prescribed
safety distance.◀
Reduce distance Press button repeatedly until the de‐
sired distance is set.
Instrument cluster will display selected dis‐
tance, refer to page 147.
Increase distance Press button repeatedly until the de‐
sired distance is set.
Instrument cluster will display selected dis‐
tance, refer to page 147.
Calling up the desired speed and
distance
While driving Press button with the system
switched on.
In the following cases, the stored speed value
is deleted and cannot be called up again:▷When the system is switched off.▷When the ignition is switched off.
While standing
The system brought the vehicle to a complete
standstill:
▷Green marking in the speedometer:
Your vehicle accelerates automatically as
soon as the vehicle in the range of the ra‐
dar sensor moves off.▷Speedometer markings turn orange: no au‐
tomatic driving off.
To accelerate to the desired speed auto‐
matically, press the accelerator or press
the RES or SET button.
Rolling bars in the distance display indicate
that the the vehicle detected by the radar sen‐
sor has driven off.
Your vehicle was brought down to a halt
through stepping on the brake pedal and it is
standing behind another vehicle:
1. Press button to call up a stored
desired speed.2.Release the brake pedal.3.Step on the accelerator briefly, or press the
RES rocker switch when the vehicle ahead
of you drives away.Seite 146ControlsDriving comfort146
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Curbs
The parking assistant may steer the vehi‐
cle over or onto curb if need be.
Therefore, always be alert and ready to inter‐
vene; otherwise, the wheels, tires, or the vehi‐
cle may become damaged.◀
An engine that has been switched off by the
Auto Start Stop function is restarted automati‐
cally when the parking assistant is activated.
Requirements
For measuring parking spaces▷Maximum speed while driving forward ap‐
prox. 22 mph/35 km/h.▷Maximum distance to row of parked vehi‐
cles: 5 ft/1.5 m.
Suitable parking space
▷Gap between two objects with a minimum
length of approx. 5 ft/1.5 m.▷Min. length of gap between two objects:
your vehicle's length plus approx.
4 ft/1.2 m.▷Minimum depth: approx. 5 ft/1.5 m.
Regarding the parking procedure
▷Doors and trunk lid closed.▷Parking brake released.▷When parking in parking spaces on the
driver's side, the corresponding turn signal
must be set where applicable.
Steptronic transmission:
▷Driver's safety belt fastened.Overview
Button in the vehicle
Parking assistant
Ultrasound sensors
The ultrasound sensors for measuring parking
spaces are located on the side of the vehicle.
To ensure full functionality:
▷Keep the sensors clean and free of ice.▷When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the sensors for long periods and
maintain a distance of at least 12 in/30 cm.▷Do not put stickers over sensors.
Switching on/off
Switching on with the button Press button.
The LED lights up.
The current status of the parking space search
is indicated on the Control Display.
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▷Press button.
Interrupting automaticallyThe system is interrupted automatically in the
following situations:
▷If the driver grasps the steering wheel or if
he takes over steering.▷If a gear is selected that does not match
the instruction on the Control Display.▷If the vehicle speed exceeds approx.
6 mph/10 km/h.▷Possible on snow-covered or slippery road
surfaces.▷When there are obstacles that are hard to
overcome, such as curbs.▷When there are obstacles that suddenly
arise.▷If the Park Distance Control PDC displays
clearances that are too small.▷If a maximum number of parking attempts
or the time taken for parking is exceeded.▷If a turn signal has been actuated contrary
to the desired side for parking.▷When switching to another function on the
Control Display.
Steptronic transmission:
▷When the button is released.▷If the trunk lid is open.▷If doors are open.▷When setting the parking brake.▷During acceleration.▷When braking.▷When unfastening the driver's safety belt.
A Check Control message is displayed.
Resume An interrupted parking procedure can be con‐
tinued if needed.
Follow the instructions on the Control Display
to do this.
System limits
No parking assistance
The parking assistant does not offer assis‐
tance in the following situations:▷In tight curves.
Functional limitations
The system may not be fully functional in the
following situations:
▷On bumpy road surfaces such as gravel
roads.▷On slippery ground.▷On steep uphill or downhill grades.▷With accumulations of leaves/snow in the
parking space.
Limits of ultrasonic measurement
Ultrasonic measuring might not function under
the following circumstances:
▷For small children and animals.▷For persons with certain clothing, e.g.
coats.▷With external interference of the ultra‐
sound, e.g. from passing vehicles or loud
machines.▷When sensors are dirty, iced over, dam‐
aged or out of position.▷Under certain weather conditions such as
high relative humidity, rain, snowfall, ex‐
treme heat or strong wind.▷With tow bars and trailer couplings of other
vehicles.▷With thin or wedge-shaped objects.▷With moving objects.▷With elevated, protruding objects such as
ledges or cargo.▷With objects with corners and sharp edges.Seite 163Driving comfortControls163
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Climate controlVehicle features and options
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due tothe selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
Automatic climate control
1Air distribution, left2Temperature, left3AUTO program, left4Air flow, AUTO intensity, left, residual heat5Remove ice and condensation6Maximum cooling7Display8Air flow, AUTO intensity, right9AUTO program, right10Temperature, right11Air distribution, right12Seat heating, right   5613Active seat ventilation, right   5714Automatic recirculated-air control/recircu‐
lated-air mode15Cooling function16Rear window defroster17SYNC program18Active seat ventilation, left   5719Seat heating, left  56Seite 165Climate controlControls165
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